Chapter 17.121 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS

This chapter establishes use and development regulations for emergency shelter facilities in accordance with state law and the city's adopted housing element. In accordance with state law, local communities have a responsibility to provide adequate sites for emergency shelters that serve homeless individuals and families. The goal of emergency shelters is to address acute needs of individuals and families by providing basic residential facilities and may include programs that help residents find available social services. Consistent with the findings of the state legislature, the city recognizes the need for, and the benefit of, temporary housing and services for homeless persons and families. This chapter is intended to allow for the development of emergency shelter facilities in conjunction with specified uses and in particular zoning districts, subject to development and operational standards that minimize potential adverse impacts on nearby properties and the community as a whole.

(Ord. 2011-08 § 5 (part))

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section.

"Emergency shelter"

means a building providing temporary shelter for persons in distressed circumstances, including temporary housing for homeless persons. Counseling services as well as temporary room or board may be provided.

"Religious institution"

means an institution that people regularly attend to participate in or hold religious services, meetings, and other activities, including a church or other place of religious worship in which religious services of any denomination are held.

(Ord. 2011-08 § 5 (part))

Emergency shelters are permitted in conjunction with religious facilities, subject to the location restrictions identified in this section. Emergency shelters are further permitted by right in the multifamily residential (R-3), high density multifamily residential (R-4), central business district (C-2), and public quasi-public (PQP) zoning districts as a permitted use without a conditional use or other discretionary permit. Emergency shelters shall not be located within three hundred (300) feet of an existing emergency shelter facility, measured from the closest point on each property line. (Ord. 2011-08 § 5 (part))

In addition to the development standards in the underlying zoning district, the following standards apply to emergency shelters, and each emergency shelter shall comply with the standards set forth in this section. In the event of conflict between these standards and the underlying zoning district

regulations, the provisions of this section shall apply. Nothing in this section modifies the requirements for approval of a religious institution as otherwise provided in this code.

• A. Facility Compliance with Applicable State and Local Standards and Requirements.

  1. If an emergency shelter operates a program incidental to the emergency shelter, it shall comply with all federal, state and local licensing requirements for such program.

• B. Physical Characteristics.

  1. An emergency shelter shall comply with applicable state and local housing, building, and fire code requirements.

  2. An emergency shelter shall have on-site security during all hours when the shelter is open.

  3. An emergency shelter shall provide exterior lighting on pedestrian pathways and parking lot areas on the property. Lighting shall reflect away from residential areas and public streets.

  4. If the emergency shelter is proposed in conjunction with a religious institution, the area utilized for emergency shelter facilities may not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total floor area used for the religious institution.

  5. Where a day care facility or elementary or middle school is operated on the same site as an emergency shelter, the day care and school facilities must be separated from the emergency shelter facilities by means to prevent access from one facility to the other.

• C. Limited Number of Beds per Facility. Emergency shelters accessory to a religious institution shall not exceed ten (10) beds. Other emergency shelters located in the city's zoning districts specified in this chapter shall not exceed twenty (20) beds.

• D. Limited Terms of Stay. The maximum term of staying at an emergency shelter is six months in any consecutive twelve (12) month period.

• E. Parking. The emergency shelter shall provide on-site parking at a rate of two spaces per facility for staff plus one space for every six occupants, determined by the emergency shelter's maximum capacity.

• F. Emergency Shelter Management Plan. Prior to the operation of the emergency shelter and annually thereafter, the shelter shall prepare and file a management plan with the community development department that discusses operational rules and standards, including, but not limited to, standards governing expulsions, lights-out, client supervision, client services, and food services. The plan shall also include a floor plan that demonstrates compliance with the physical standards required by this chapter.

• (Ord. 2011-08 § 5 (part))